The Penn's Grove record., 1887-06-04

l. WIS luIlOuS dJ buuo DtliS lOllCu d
second time, and could with difficulty
control my real feelings. But the pres
ence of the policeman aided me greatly
in collecting myself.
ibid 1 frlghten you, child?" Iasked,
forcing a laugh. "You carelessly left
FloribeI upon the step, and I thought l
would teach you a lesson; but l did not
mean to brighten you So"
1 spoke the truth; for 1 had no mean
ing, no intention, no thought but one,
and that was to gain possession of my
coveted treasure.
81 will help you take her back home. ;"
l added, Is the policeman, seeing our
apparent friendly relations. retired.
As walked back l pondered modify
upon my failure, not noticing the child
as she ratified on. L had not better
try this game again, l thought; it is too
dangerous.
amelia" I said suddenly, for l had
become quite intimate with the child
rem, t'do you think" and here l hesi-
tated, and looked at the little girl, fear
ing the effect of my next words. "Do
you think" / continued desperately,
shat your mother would sell me Flori-
bel!p
The child's eyes opened to their ut
most extent.
"Sell Floribell Indeed, ma'am, she
would not.
"But l mean to ask her," L cried ex-
citedly. "Oh, child, l would give her
any pricel"
"0h, dearl what a funny ideal" said
the little girl laughing heartily. "Papa
does say sometimes she is one too many
in the family, but none of us think SO;
and papa doesn't think 50 either; he
only says so to teaze us. But come in,
ma'am," as we reached her home, ''and
tell mamma yourself. Lal how she will
taught"
l was not so sure of the mirthful
effect the child predicted for my re-
quest. The lady would probably think
me demented; and so l actually was, l
believe. for the time.
The child ran into the parlor leading
little Floribel, and l followed. There
sat the tall dark-eyed lady reading by
the window, she looked up as we enter
ed.
Mamma" said the little girl, ''here
is the lady we told you about, who
always notices Floribel so much when
we take her out with us. And mamma,
| she wants to buy herl just think of it,"
and the child broke into peals of laugh
ter at the bare IDEA Of SO absurd a sug-
gestion.
The lady who had risen politely at
my entrance, sank back In her chair
with q look of utter amazement upon
her countenapce, and snatching up
Floribel clasped her to her bosom with
many endearing epithets. But | had
gone too FAR to retreat now, and l was
SO thoroughly convinced that she was
not Floribel's mother that l began to
feel more confidence than if / thought
she was her own flesh and blood. So
summing up all the dignity l could
command 1 said:
"You are doubtless astonished,
madam, as well you may be, at my
strange request, but cannot help it. |
coyet your treasure so earnestly that /
would pay any price for her possession"
sob, madam" / continued, as ! saw
that the lady regarded me with ipdig-
nant looks, fsif you only knew how your
little darling has wound herself around
my heart-strings, you would pity q
childless wife who yearns for some
sweet little creature to console her
lonely hours. You have two charming
little girls, and others, too, perhaps,
fancying her looks relaxed a little,
''while I-have nothing" Here l could
hardly restrain my tears, and one rolled
down the lady's cheek and fell upon the
little one's silken curls.
Hope sprapg up in my breast, and at
that moment the street door opened and
a young man walked into the room.
He stopped and looked at u emotion
in surprise.
"Why-" he began, looking from one
to the other.
"Oh, Henry cried Amelia, running
to him, s.this lady has fallen in love
with Floribel and wants to buy her--to
buy herl"
II cannot part with her,n said the
lady, now speaking for the first time;
'but, indeed, madam, yon have touched
my hearth and she wiped her eyes and
kissed Floribel.
But I did not despair. l turned to
the young man.
81 am wealthy, ~ said; s'my hus-
band denies me nothing. 1 am willing
to pay any sum you may demand"
l saw his eyes glitter. He caught
the bait?
"Why, mother he said, "you go on
over her as if she was your own dear
baby
(Ahal didn't 1 say SO? She was only
an adopted parent
"But l love he nearly as well as if
she were," SAID the lady, hugging
Floribel.
'Name your price," / said impa-
tiently to the youth.
"What do You say to two hundred
dollars, ma'am?'
Two hundrediollarsl / would cheer
fully have giyer twice that amount.
"You talk asif she belonged to you,''
said his mothe with asperity.
"Now, motler," said the young man,
going over t. her, and kneeling by the
side Of her chair, while he stroked
Floribel's hdr, who had all this time
lain in the hdy's arms, little dreaming
she was thesubject of SO momentous a
discussion. "Now, my mother, don't
you know hat it is just two hundred
dollars tina l lack to get me what you
know, and what / have been wishing
for so INCH? Here it is within my
grasp; TO / had quickly signified my
acceptancsof his terms.) do you love
this little norsel,'' twitching Floribel's
ear, 'swht is no kith nor kin of yours,
more thar your own dear son2" This
was said oaxingly.
His moher was certainly relenting; I
could see ! in her face, which l watch
ed closely
81 kn5t the lady will take excellent
care Of he, he continued.
'Indee / WILL" I interrupted eager
~, "for Hove her dearly"
"And Fou will bring her TO see me
sometinrs3" asked the lady.
sInded ! WILL / said d~elightedly,
seeingl IL cause was won,
"Tae her them" said the lady, rising
and pacing her in my arms; ''you and
my so have conquered"
"Hbw can / thank you enoughS" /
cried, olasping my treasure to me,
Spnf pnaif. I will not toEa har until I Il